Feb 12, 2016
Jason Roberts, Marketing & Community Relations
Rochester, NY – February 11, 2016 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a proposal on Thursday, to be introduced this legislative session which allows teens with HIV to receive treatment without requiring parental consent.
Under state law, minors generally cannot consent to medical care. An exception was made decades ago for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, but HIV was not listed due lack of adequate treatments and frequently fatal outcomes.
“This legislation will remove barriers to HIV prevention and treatment and save the lives of many young people – our future. Dr. William Valenti, Senior Vice President and Staff Physician of Trillium Health. If we want to End the HIV Epidemic by 2020, the time for this legislation is now.” Valenti also is a member of the Governor’s task force to END AIDS.
Medical treatments have simplified and improved significantly over time. Further, failure to treat can lead to serious health consequences. The Governor’s proposal adds HIV to the list of exceptions in order to increase treatment for minors that may be affected with HIV – preventing infection and ultimately saving lives.
For additional coverage by the New York Times, click here.
For additional media information, contact Jason Roberts, Marketing & Community Relations Manager, at (585) 563-2592
About Trillium Health
Trillium Health (formerly known as AIDS Care) is different, and represents the future of care: comprehensive, individualized, and affirming of each person’s identity. It has expanded its offerings to serve HIV negative patients, including women and the LGBT communities. Trillium Health is a local community health center offering three dimensions of care: primary care, supportive services, and community outreach. With over 25 years of history providing integrated care to people from diverse communities, patients and clients can visit one location to participate in a full range of programs to support their health and well-being.
Its primary location is downtown at 259 Monroe Avenue in Rochester, NY, with satellite offices in Bath, Geneva and on Central Avenue in Rochester. The phone number for the main office is 585-545-7200 and the website can be found at www.trilliumhealth.org.